Luxury Hotels in Mumbai

Best areas in Mumbai for luxury hotels

The original Indian boomtown is no stranger to luxury. Just look at the shimmering steel skyscrapers that loom above the Bandra area: a forest of richly-adorned hotels keeping watch over the boulevards of Bollywood and the modern bustle of Mumbai's business districts. And then there's Colaba, with its elegant Portuguese facades and historic cafés, all nestled between opulent palaces come hotels with pools and pretty domes. It's to Juhu Beach that the luxury lovers go for palm-punctuated gardens and infinity pools on the very edge of the Arabian Sea.

Top luxury hotels in Mumbai

Mirrored glass and shiny new steel define the contours of the beautiful Sofitel Bandra Kurla Complex – a luxury modern hotel of enticing rooftop cocktail bars and pools. Meanwhile, the Taj Lands End in Bandra West is class of a different character, offering up verdant tropical gardens that drop down to the rollers of the Indian Ocean. And then there's the Courtyard by Marriot: a cozy, comfy medley of marble-inlaid bathrooms and panoramic suites, pool-dotted gardens and steamy spa rooms, all just a short drive from Chhatrapati Shivaji International.

Where to find the best fine dining in Mumbai

There's no shortage of creative, contemporary cuisine in this throbbing modern metropolis. For some of the finest bistros and bars, look to the international strip of Juhu Beach. Here, you'll get everything from mixology-mad cocktail bars to Indonesian fusion fare. It's a similar story in Bandra, too, where you can find top-rated fine dining hidden amidst the pungent street food stalls and bazaars. In the south, Colaba blends history and culture with classy eating, inviting visitors to sample Irani thali plates and English tea in the vaulted rooms of centuries-old cafés.

The most unique things to do in Mumbai

Avoid the hustle and bustle of the heady Fort area and opt to get your fix of Mumbai history in the grand interiors of the Taj Mahal Palace. Visited by presidents and film stars, this historic spot boasts everything from Morimoto-lead Japanese sushi kitchens to elegant Parisian coffee shops – guided tours of the building's opulent Victorian and Rococo halls can be organized on request. Helicopter flyovers above the endless slums and seaside sprawl of Mumbai Harbour are another great way to see the city, and take in the sheer scope of the Seven Islands of Bombay as they jut out into the Arabian Sea. You could also join the jet setters and mega stars in the Bollywood haunts of Bandra; sipping cocktails in the international drinkeries there, or chatting away before the latest Hindi hit on the silver screen.

Best ways to get around Mumbai

Despite being home to more than 20 million people, you can still travel around Mumbai in style. Skip the city's packed light rail system and opt to get a private hire car instead. Chauffeured options are available in abundance, and bring the added bonus of air conditioning and comfy seats. Alternatively, you could rely on Uber and GetMeCab services, which run efficiently all over the metropolis. And for those who really want to travel like a jet setter, some hotels and airports also offer private helicopter chartering.